Handmade. Vintage. Primitive.

Tag: folk art

My recent design rabbit hole started with a desire to create a historic looking mural for our home. Somewhere in my search for folk art painting techniques I stumbled upon one Mr. Rufus Porter and the rug hooker in me took over. His motifs struck a chord. While I’ve yet to paint anything, I’ve been enjoying designing rugs inspired by his work. This little footstool is the first of many to come.

I’ve been dabbling with woodworking lately. This primitive little stool paired beautifully with my Rufus Porter inspired rug.It took some trial and error to get the background colors just right for both mood and visibility, but I love how it came out.The knot in the wood became the perfect little accent to the “legs” of the stool.

I am fascinated by the primitive. The old and weathered. The patina of life’s wear and tear. The functional side of folk art. Dave and I have designed and made several pull toys together, but this one is an altogether new undertaking. Three dimensional, fiber art, and salvage combined all in one piece. I am just thrilled with the results. While the piece functions spectacularly as a pull toy, due to governmental oversight, I need to tell you it is not a toy. It is for decorative purposes only. Nonetheless, our Primitive Hooked Giraffe Pull Toy has won over our hearts.

More designs to come…

Our giraffe is hooked with an assortment of wools and organic cottons. Stuffed with organic cotton, too.The back is coffee stained linen to give it an old world appeal.Dave fashioned the base of our pull toy from an old roller skate he found in a house clean out. It could not be more perfect.

Still cold out, but in my head my toes are still tucked in warm sand. The Vintage Bathing Beauty needs a Beau. And I think I may have finally come up with a design I’m happy with. Still tweaking, but I’m liking it overall.

My head is dancing with ideas of how I’d like to hook this, what materials and colors I want to use. I know a lot of folks color plan their rugs, but that just never works for me. Maybe more to the point, I don’t seem to be good at sticking to a plan. Free spirit and all…

I confess, I have a thing for rugs. I love looking at them, shopping for them, and napping on them in front of the fire. So, I tore myself from the depths of my studio this weekend, re-communed with friends, and dove head long into a whole new craft that I am sure I must create stash for.